It's Like You Snap Your Fingers...

...and BAM!

LBB grows some more.

And I'm not talking just size wise (although he is now growing like a weed. Just a few months ago he began wearing a 2T...now he's already in a 3T. So much for my "prepared" clothes shopping I did last month.) He's growing "smarts" wise too.

He suddenly picked up beat boxing. You know, like DJ's do? He'll sit there, make all these cool beat-box noises, move his hands around while he does it, and once in a while makes little "wiki wiki" noises. It's the most adorable thing in the world. (But I'll warn you...there's a LOT of spit involved.)

When he's watching Blue's Clues, he is now able to copy EVERY. Single. Thing that Steve does while he sings the Blue's Clues song. He "writes" in his notebook (his hand), does the hand waves, thinks in his thinking chair...it's just insane. A month ago week ago, he wasn't even able to do any of that stuff.

He is chattering like it's nobody's business now (when he wants to, of course.) He likes to tell stories about the ducks he sees, the bike rides he takes, and because he is seriously the sweetest kid in the world, regularly asks "Alright?" if you so much as sneeze, cough, or hiccup. :)

He says sorry. He is working on hugging instead of hitting. He is laughing. Learning. Doing arts and crafts. And "counting" along with us.

I don't know when it happened. Just 2 weeks ago, I was certain that he might be having some issues. And now, not so much. Now we are having a blast watching as his intelligence just blossoms.

Something I Usually Wouldn't Share

Not many people know about this, but about a year ago, I had the nice treat to get tested for breast cancer. I found a lump, had a mini-freak out, and after a very God-blessed moment, got tested and had the results back within 4 days. There's nothing more frightening than not knowing. Nothing more nerve-wracking than kissing your child at bedtime and not knowing what would happen.

Thankfully, the results came back benign. But what I do have is called a Fibroadenoma. And it likes to linger around...apparently this annoying "benign tumor" feels it's ok to just stay with me. I check everyday for changes, but I still worry. The chances of it turning into anything bad is pretty slim, but, if you know me, you know I usually go worst case scenario. :)

However, I've been doing some research, trying to figure out some natural ways to get this thing to either go away or get smaller. Removal is an option, but it's not a guarantee that another one won't form. My nurse said her daughter was about to have her 3rd surgery to remove a fibroadenoma, and quite frankly, I'm not a big enough fan of hospitals and knives to go through that unless I have to. That core biopsy was enough, thank you very much.

One thing I have found is a change in diet. That means a BIG cutdown on caffeine and chocolate (I type this as I just finished a Reese's Peanut Butter cup and have been sipping a Dr. Pepper.) But, currently I can guzzle down about 4 Dr. Peppers a day (yikes), so even just one is cutting back alot. :) Another key diet factor is MORE fiber, MORE fruits and veggies, and LESS meat. So, after having a serious talk with Dear Sweet Hubby yesterday, we are going to dramatically cut back on the meat we consume in our home...1 night of red meat, 1 night of chicken. And the rest? Vegetarian. (With a few fish nights thrown in.)

This means I have to change my whole way of food thinking. I hate veggies. I only like apples. And, to make the diet even more interesting, we have to keep everything g-free for LBB. :) So, this is a whole new journey into cooking and nutrition. I have to rethink everything I know cooking wise.

But.

I know I have to. I know why it's important. And I know that, while it is a big change, it will be a good change.

So, all that being said, if you have a GREAT vegetarian recipe, please share it in the comments section!!!! I can use all the help I can get!